NMHDA was formed in 1989 by a group of people who were interested in promoting the training and competitive trialing of their assorted breeds of herding dogs. The clubs objective remains similar today:

To further the advancement of all herding breeds

To protect and advance the interests of herding tests and trials, and to encourage sportsman-like conduct

To hold sanctioned herding events sponsored by a variety of organizations, including , but not limited to, AKC, AHBA, USBCHA, TSDA, WTSDA

We also encourage the training of judges in various herding venues. Many of our club members are licensed/approved judges for AKC, AHBA and USBCHA.

We are the only sanctioned dog club who sponsors AKC herding events. We primarily serve the area of Central New Mexico (Albuquerque Area), but members from any location are welcome who will be able to participate in the club’s meetings and participate in our events on a regular basis (you don’t necessarily need to enter events, but we do need help). We encourage membership at the Associate level for the first year for those who have not previously participated significantly in the organizations events.

The club averages between 15 – 20 members from New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas, the club members own various different herding breeds which include – Australian Cattledogs, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Briards, Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis, Rough and Smooth Collies to name a few. We are an all herding breed club.

We sponsor several dog trials a year, perform herding instinct tests, and put on herding demonstrations, meet informally to train our dogs and work on handling, and travel together to events in other states. Putting on a trial involves a lot of hard work before-hand, including designing and building courses, obtaining approval from the sanctioning organization, preparing premiums and sending out announcements, collecting applications and entry forms and preparing running orders. During a trial we need score sheet runners, time keepers, scribes, judges, and people to set out and to exhaust stock and people to reset courses for different events.

To become a member you will need to fill out an application form, read and agree to the Constitution and Bylaws, obtain the endorsement of two regular club members, and submit dues ( $15 for non-voting Associate Members; $ 25 for Individual member, and $ 40 for two family members in the same household). Applications are voted on by secret ballot at the next club meeting. Affirmation of 2/3 of the membership present is needed for acceptance. You will be notified of the outcome. You do not have to have a trained herding dog to become a member.

Most of our trials take place a Free To Ranch (ftbranch.weebly.com), four miles east of Mountainair, NM, just off Highway 60 (just 60 miles south east of Albuquerque). The ranch owner Geri Abrams, breeds and trials Border Collies, and runs a working sheep ranch (with ducks and goats thrown in for good measure). She has also developed a top-notch dog training facility with 4 fenced arenas of several different sizes, and 4 fenced pastures – 5 acres, 40 acres, 100 acres and 160 acres. A large metal building serves as our Clubhouse, and there are 14 electrical hookups for travel trailers. We often hold our meeting at the Ranch, in conjunction with trials and fun-time involving dogs and livestock. Occasionally we meet in Albuquerque, or conduct Business by email when we can’t get together.

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